TIPA Provides 2.4 Billion KRW to 20 Startup Companies Solving Environmental and Disaster Safety Issues

Lee Jae-hong, President of the Technology Innovation Promotion Agency for SMEs (TIPA).
[Photo by TIPA]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Jong-hwa] The Korea Technology and Information Promotion Agency for SMEs (TIPA) announced that through the 'Social Problem-Solving Technology Development Project (R&D)', it will support 20 startup companies that will identify and solve social problems in nine fields with social consensus, such as environment and disaster safety, with a total of 2.4 billion KRW by next year.

The Social Problem-Solving Technology Development Project (R&D) is a newly launched program this year designed to create an environment where startup companies can directly contribute to solving various social issues faced by society. It supports startups established less than seven years ago with annual sales under 2 billion KRW in the previous year.

The social problems eligible for support include 20 tasks across ▲ social integration (8 tasks: 6 medical disparity, 2 information disparity) ▲ environment (8 tasks: 4 household waste, 2 indoor air pollution, 2 microplastics) ▲ life safety (2 tasks: 2 cybercrime) ▲ housing/transportation (2 tasks: 2 traffic safety and congestion).

Key tasks include developing reusable packaging containers and traceability management systems to address the issue of disposable plastic waste caused by the increase in food delivery, blocking the distribution of illegal videos, and developing illegal filming camera detection technologies as representative social problems arising from the rise in cybercrime.

Additionally, to solve pedestrian traffic safety issues for children at crosswalks, startups will be supported to develop devices linked to driver speed indicators that can recognize pedestrians and pedestrian detection systems at crosswalks. Each company can receive up to 150 million KRW in support by next year.

Lee Jae-hong, Director of TIPA, emphasized, "The need for R&D to solve various social problems faced after COVID-19 is increasing, and national R&D support should also be strengthened in the area of social issues. We will actively expand the focus of R&D not only on 'technology supply and industrial innovation' but also on 'technology development that addresses issues related to the quality of life of the people.'"

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.